35 Healthy Protein Snacks to Keep You Feeling Full & Satisfied

Protein, protein, protein! We hear about it so often, but what is this wonder substance and what foods should we eat to get enough of it?

Keep reading to learn about healthy protein snacks and find out how to snack like a person who understands protein.

But first…

The Top Rated Protein Snacks Directly from SnackNation Customers:

• Whole Food Protein Balls, Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter by simplyFUEL (4.68 out of 5)
• SmashPack Protein Fruit Smoothie Pouch (4.62 out of 5)
• Quest Nutrition Tortilla Style Protein Chips, Chili Lime (4.57 out of 5)
• FlapJacked Mighty Muffins (4.54 out of 5)
• Quest Nutrition Double Chocolate Chip Protein Cookie (4.51 out of 5)
• Twin Peaks Low Carb, Allergy Friendly Protein Puffs, Jalapeno Cheddar (4.46 out of 5)
• Smart Tart Protein Toaster Pastries (4.45 out of 5)
• Promix Whey Protein Isolate Puff Bar, Vanilla Bean (4.42 out of 5)
• Cheddies, Cheese Crackers (4.39 out of 5)
• FDL Protein Powder Cookie Butter, Frosted Cinnamon Roll (4.37 out of 5)

What is protein?

A protein is a molecule made of amino acid chains. The chains attach to form different structures and therefore different proteins, including essential antibodies, enzymes, and hormones. Protein does more than just build muscle; it features in many of your body’s primary functions.

What does this have to do with snacking?

As we mentioned above, proteins are made from amino acids. Your body can make some of its own amino acids, but it needs to get many of the essentials, what we officially call “essential amino acids,” by eating a variety of foods. When your body has all the necessary amino acids, it can make all the essential proteins.

Making protein vs eating protein.

Whether it’s from a plant or animal source, the protein you eat doesn’t immediately supply you with protein because it comes from a different organism, and it is designed for the particular needs of that organism. Your body breaks down the consumed protein into amino acid components and then does some restructuring to build protein you can use.

This restructuring process is why you need to consume proteins, and therefore amino acids, from a variety of foods, healthy foods in particular. According to experts at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the “package,” or the health profile, of the protein-packed food you’re eating has a big impact on your overall health.

Your high-protein snacking strategy

To be your best self, you should snack on a range of nutrient-rich, healthy protein snacks that are low in fat and calories.

Below, we’ve broken down some of the basic foods that deliver the healthiest, leanest protein and amino acids packages. We’ve also listed snacks you can buy and make to get your fill of each protein source. Are you ready to get your protein on?

 

Eggs

Eggs—compact packages filled with lots of powerful nutrients. One large egg has 70 calories, 6 grams of protein, and a variety of other nutrients, including vitamin D, riboflavin, and selenium. Combine that nutrient profile with flavor and versatility, and you’ve got an ideal source of lean protein.

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2. Egg and Pesto Stuffed Tomato

Via Paleo Leap: Egg and Pesto Stuffed Tomatoes

To make a high-protein snack, the cook behind Paleo Leap cracks an egg into a tomato and bakes it. Voila—you’ve got a nutrient-rich snack that won’t make you feel like a deprived, spartan bodybuilder.

3. Healthy Egg Salad on Cucumber Rounds

Via Well Plated: Healthy Egg Salad

Make egg salad the Well Plated way, with nonfat Greek yogurt and mustard. This technique removes a lot of the fat and even adds in some extra protein. You can also ditch the bread and eat your egg salad on dainty cucumber slices. It might sound like a tea party snack, but it packs some serious protein.

4. Microwaved Eggs – 3 Ways

Who has time for a skillet? Luckily, you can eat wholesome high-protein eggs in three different ways thanks to the microwave.

Poached: If you have an egg, a mug, and some water, you can enjoy a snack-fast poached egg. Get the instructions.

Scrambled: Stir together eggs, milk, and salt…and then zap! Get the instructions.

Quiche: Microwavable mug quiche is the savory snacking equivalent of mug cake. Get the instructions.

 

Yogurt

With about 140 calories and 12 grams of protein per serving, yogurt* makes one tasty source of healthy protein, not to mention other good things, such as vitamin A, phosphorus, and calcium. Yogurt’s protein density and mild flavor make it an ideal base for a variety of healthy snacks.

(*Based on data for plain, low-fat yogurt.)

5. Plain Yogurt + Orange Blossom Honey + Toasted Sesame Seeds

Skip the pre-flavored yogurt and make your own gourmet concoction with enough protein and flavor to keep you satisfied for hours. You can find pre-toasted sesame seeds in the Asian section of many grocery stores.

6. Greek Yogurt Pops

Via Lemon Bowl: Raspberry Greek Yogurt Popsicles

The cook behind the Lemon Bowl freezes some fruit and some yogurt in paper cups to make a high-protein snack that’s also a delightful frozen treat.

7. Greek Yogurt + Hemp Hearts + Strawberries

Mix some robust Greek yogurt with hemp hearts and naturally low-sugar strawberries to create a powerhouse protein bowl that tastes more indulgent than it is.

8. Easy Mediterranean Parfaits

These nutrient-dense parfaits surpass every other sugary, frivolous, and empty parfait you’ve ever tried. Turn the “high-protein parfait” into a delicious new reality by layering Greek yogurt, apricot preserves, granola, and pistachios.

9. Greek Yogurt Peanut Butter Dip

If you’ve never thought about mixing peanut butter and yogurt, then you’ve been missing out on some scrumptious flavors and healthy protein. Eat this dip from Food, Fun & Life with any kind of fruit you want or straight off the spoon (we won’t judge). You can also skip the honey in this recipe if you want to cut sugar from your diet.

10. Rose Water and Cardamom Yogurt Lassi

This rose-water lassi (from the clean-eating experts at Whole Foods) makes high-protein eating fancy. Try it if you want to change up your protein smoothie routine.

 

Fish

Many fish are remarkably high in protein and low in calories and fat. Take wild Atlantic salmon for example. One fillet (198 grams) has nearly 40 grams of protein and less than 300 calories. Fish is also full of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids that are ideal for satiety.

11. Salmon Cucumber Rolls

Via Eat, Spin, Run, Repeat: Salmon Cucumber Rolls

Make like the foodie behind Eat, Spin, Run, Repeat and roll up salmon and cucumber to make a snack that’s like a protein-packed sushi roll without the added carbohydrates of sticky rice.

12. Healthy Mediterranean Tuna Salad

Classic tuna salad has lots of protein. Lighten up on the fat to make a snack that delivers a leaner, meaner protein package. This recipe from Tori Avey gets flavor and moisture from lemon juice and olive oil instead of mayonnaise.

13. Salmon Pops with Dill Sauce

Via Only Gluten Free Recipes: Salmon Pops with Piquant Dill Sauce

Eating fish on a stick has never been so delicious, healthy, or fun. This snack from Only Gluten Free Recipes uses sesame seeds, lemon juice, and dill to bring out the flavors in naturally delicious salmon.

14. Quick Tropical Tuna Salad

Stir together some high-quality canned tuna, pineapple chunks, cubed avocado, and cilantro to make a healthy tropical tuna salad. Eat the mixture straight off the spoon or dollop it onto fresh cucumber slices.

 

Nuts & Seeds

Nutrient-dense nuts and seeds have everything you need to stay full, including protein and good fats. Nuts and seeds are also incredibly versatile; they can be used in a wide range of sweet and savory protein snacks.

15. Almonds

The pure and simple almond makes a steadfast, go-to source of protein. If you need fast and clean protein on the go, then almonds are your best friend.

16. No-Bake Protein Bars

Via Oh She Glows: Quick ‘n Easy No-Bake Protein Bars

If you’re trying to prepare most of your own food, these no-bake bars, a quick alternative to their packaged counterparts, are an awesome choice. Oh She Glows uses vegan protein powder and almond butter to pack these tasty bars with plenty of protein.

17. Almond-Butter Protein Balls

Via Real Food Dietitians: Almond Butter Banana Protein Balls

Protein balls are often faster and easier to make than protein bars, and these no-bake morsels from the Real Food Dietitians are no exception. These bites are filled with protein from almonds, chia seeds, and clean protein powder.

18. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Who knew all those mucky seeds we scoop out of our jack o’lanterns were filled with protein? Well, they are—a 2-ounce helping contains 10 grams of protein. Find pre-roasted pumpkin seeds in your grocery store, or salt the raw seeds and roast them at 300 degrees for about 45 minutes.

19. No-Bake Pumpkin Seed Bars

Versatile pumpkin seeds feature in these no-bake protein bars from A Big Man’s World. The bars are sweet, salty, and good for your body.

Beans & Legumes

Beans and legumes have been the choice protein of plant-based diets for years. These high-protein packages are mildly flavored, super low in fat and calories, and filled with protein, folate, and of course, fiber. In fact, beans and legumes contain a magical combination of protein and fiber that keeps you full and produces some healthy protein snacks.

20. Crunchy Garlic Lentil Snacks

Via Food, Fitness, Fresh Air: Crunchy Garlic Lentil Snack

Lentil soup is great, but these crispy, portable lentils might change the way you snack forever. This recipe from Food, Fitness, Fresh Air makes it easy to enjoy the fiber and lean protein of lentils when you’re on the go.

21. Fast and Easy Black Bean Blender Soup

Blender soups are like savory smoothies. They’re fast, easy, and super healthy. They’re also perfect if you’re watching fruit sugars. Combine lime juice, tomato juice, cilantro, salt, and a pinch of hot sauce in a blender to make a protein-filled soup that tastes amazing hot or cold.

22. Vegetarian Traveler Garbanzo and Soy Medley

Made with garbanzos and soybeans, this snack medley offers an anytime protein boost. Snack on the mix alone or add it to your salads, soups, and buddha bowls—anything that could benefit from extra protein.

23. Raw Falafel

Combine garbanzo beans and a few other tasty ingredients in a food processor, roll the meal into balls, and voila—you’ve got Rawmazing’s protein-rich falafel that’s quick to make and awesomely tasty, no frying required.

24. WOLO WanderBar Lemon Cake Protein Bars

Turmeric, flax seed, protein powder, and other nutrients fill these WOLO WanderBars with a healthy dose of protein that goes down as easy as any tasty treat.

25. Protes Pea Protein Chips

Pea protein goes into each of these golden-triangle chips. Eat a whole bag to get 15 grams of protein while downing only 120 calories. You can enjoy the protein-packed goodness of Protes chips in lots of tasty flavors, including spicy chili lime, toasted coconut, and salted caramel.

26. Chickpea and Black Bean Snack Mix

Via Dizzy, Busy, and Hungry: Chickpea and Black Bean Snack Mix

Simply season and bake chickpeas and black beans to make a crunchy snack that tastes like it came right out of a package. This recipe from Dizzy, Busy, and Hungry make it easy with only five minutes of preparation time.

 

Whey Protein

Healthy, high-protein whey is a by-product of cheese making. Basically, cheese is made, and the left-behind whey is processed further to remove stuff that isn’t protein. The result is a concentrated protein powerhouse that has plenty of amino acids and integrates easily into nearly any food imaginable.

27. Ips Protein Chips

Eat chips and get your protein. Who says life isn’t fair? Delicious Ips Protein Chips are made from wholesome corn flour and whey protein concentrate. The result is a puffy chip with half the fat and twice the flavor of regular fried potato chips.

28. Avocado Whey Smoothie

Blend one avocado, a scoop of whey protein powder, almond milk, and strawberries together to make a creamy smoothie that will keep you full for hours.

29. Plain Yogurt + Fig Butter + Whey Protein

Add a scoop of fig butter and your favorite whey protein powder to some plain yogurt to create a high-protein snack with rich and satisfying flavor.

30. Banana Protein Milk

This snack is lighter than a smoothie, but it’s just as satisfying. Simply blend one ripe banana with a scoop of whey protein powder and about 3 cups of your favorite milk. The result has a creamier texture than normal milk and a lightly sweet banana flavor your inner child will love.

 

Turkey

A lean protein source, turkey* has about 125 calories, 2 grams of fat, and 26 grams of protein. It makes a perfect, satisfying base for tons of good-for-you protein snacks.

(*Data based on skinless roasted turkey breast.)

31. Country Archer Herb Citrus Turkey Bar

These savory, paleo-friendly bars have all the herby flavors of a home-roasted turkey. Made with clean turkey raised without antibiotics or hormones, each Country Archer stick contains 9 grams of protein.

32. Easy Homemade Turkey Jerky

Who knew you could make your own clean healthy turkey jerky by skewering some turkey slices to the top rack of your oven? Well you can, and you should. Just follow this recipe from Mark’s Daily Apple.

33. Turkey-Wrapped Apple (or turkey wrapped anything)

Grab a nitrate-free, low-sodium slice of packaged turkey breast and wrap it around a tart slice of Granny Smith apple to make a protein-rich snack with a refreshing flavor. And just so you know, you can make this snack with pretty much anything you want: pickles, carrots, mango, hot peppers, and more. Consider it your go-to reverse sandwich.

34. Grown-Up Sandwich Crackers

Reconnect with the kid-style fun of creating cracker sandwiches. Use quality ingredients to make your nostalgic snack super healthy. Grab whole-grain seeded crackers, protein-packed sliced turkey, and light sliced cheese. Use a pizza cutter to slice the cheese and turkey into quarters and start making your sandwiches. Get creative with condiments to add even more adult flare to these healthy snacks.

35. Epic Turkey Almond Cranberry Bar

Get your turkey fix in snack bar form with the Epic Turkey Almond Cranberry Bar. This bar has all the satisfying flavor of a harvest feast, but it also gets down to business with 11 grams of protein. Epic puts only the best turkey into their bars—that means turkey raised without growth stimulants.

 

What’s your favorite healthy protein snack? Let us know in the comment section below!

(PS – Don’t miss out on 40% OFF your first Deluxe Box  of delicious & healthy snacks!)

Additional Resources: 

• 121 Easy & Delicious Healthy Snacks For Every Type of Snacker
• 32 Tasty & Healthy Vegan Snacks to Fight Off Cravings
• 31 Guilt-Free Healthy Sweet Snacks That Will Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
• 23 Incredibly Tasty & Healthy Snacks to Buy Right Now
• 25 Healthy Snacks That Are Perfect For When You’re On The Go
• 35 Healthy Protein Snacks to Keep You Feeling Full & Satisfied
• 30 Field-Tested Healthy Snacks for Kids
• 31 Healthy Low-Carb Snacks to Keep You Full and Energized
• 50 Healthy Gluten-Free Snacks That Taste Amazing
• 28 Guilt-Free Healthy Snacks For Diabetics
• 45 Super Easy & Healthy Low-Calorie Snacks
• 33 Healthy Snacks for Adults Who Need to Refuel
• Sweet, Salty, Sour, or Spicy: These 30 Healthy Snack Bars Cover It All
• 37 Healthy Salty Snacks for When You’re Craving Something Savory
• 30 Healthy Packaged Snacks You Can Feel Good About Eating
• 30 Healthy Filling Snacks to Conquer Your Hunger
• 80+ Healthy Crunchy Snacks Made from Fresh Ingredients
• 20+ Healthy Late-Night Snacks You’ll Crave & Love
• Sweet or Savory: Choose Your Healthy Party Snacks
• 20+ Healthy Snacks for Weight Lose That Are Under 200 Calories
• Here’s How to Enjoy Your Favorite Healthy Snacks on Any Diet
• 20+ Healthy Road Trip Snacks for Feel-Good Traveling
• 30+ Healthy Pregnancy Snacks with Essential Nutrients
• 30+ Healthy Fruit Snacks That Will Change the Way You Look at Fruit